Play Steps takes a closer look at different types of play demonstrated by children in activities commonly found in Early Learning and Childcare settings. The sections are designed to be used independently focusing on the interests of the child or the areas where specific needs have been identified.
The updated version and more guidance can be found using the following link.
Over the last few months we have been reviewing the EASEYS for ASN linking them to Realising the Ambition and this years INSET training materials to reflect current thinking and key messages in Early Years.
8 EASEYS have now been updated so if you have previously downloaded these documents please check for the new version. These are the updated ones dated either March or April 2020 in the footer:
We have a new tab on the Blog which some of you may have already noticed and are accessing. The tab, ‘Play Ideas’, contains a selection of practical suggestions for developing play with additional support needs in mind. They may contain more sensory elements or have been broken down into smaller steps to help build up skills gradually.
The list of Play Ideas is being added to regularly so please ‘follow’ to get updates as they are added.
If there is any topic or activity you would like to see elaborated in this way please let us know via the ‘comments’.
To help support learning at home for families of children with additional support needs, while their Early Learning and Childcare settings are closed, we have pulled together some ideas, activities and useful weblinks.
Not all of these may be relevant to you or your child but we hope you will find something helpful or something they like to support you through the days and weeks ahead.
Please note that all PSHVTs are currently working from home, term-time. We are all contactable, as usual, by email or mobile phone (we are not able to access office phones and messages) and available for consultation. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
This Blog contains a selection of materials from the Highland Council Psychological Service. The PSHVT sections are targeted at Early Years: Additional Support Needs topics (EASEYS for ASN), Play Ideas and links to other good practice in ASN. Please explore the tabs above and ‘follow’ to get updates and new materials as they are published.
PSHVTs are contributing ideas to the Daily Tips being published on the Bumps2Bairns Blog. Please ‘follow’ Bumps2Bairns.
More and more we are being encouraged to gather the views of young children with Additional Support Needs around their likes and dislikes, emotions and feelings, friendships and things that matter to them.
This document includes some tools and strategies which might help to ensure that we are gathering the child’s views and giving them a voice not only during the Highland Practice Model Process but thinking beyond the Child’s Plan.
See the EASEYS for ASN Gathering the young child’s views for a selection of ideas. Ensure to match the strategy you choose to the child’s strengths, interests and communication level.
All too often we are asked for information and resources to help young children with their understanding of emotions. Hopefully, in EASEYS for ASN Feelings in me, feelings in you, you will find some advice and useful ideas for resources which best meet the needs of children in your setting.
The core features of emotional development explored are:
Have you considered the impact of the expanded hours on children with Additional Support Needs (ASN)?
Some of the questions in this EASEYS for ASN could apply to all children in your setting but may have more of an impact for children with ASN. What might be a minor inconvenience for some could have a dramatic impact on others. Adjusting your environment and approaches could make all the difference…
Another EASEYS for ASN for your collection on the topic of Support Strategies.
Three new EASEYS added on these topics. Please share with colleagues.
Meeting Additional Support Needs
EASEYS for ASN Vertical Transitions
The Psychological Service Home Visiting Teachers are at it again!
A new EASEYS for ASN Together Time, has been added which contains ideas around the topic of making songs, rhymes and stories accessible to a whole range of support needs.
The EASEYS sheet comes complete with a booklet, “Together Time“, which was originally designed for parents, and focuses on enhancing bonding experiences and making literacy accessible.
Also available is an information sheet on the topic of sensory umbrellas.
Highland Council Psychological Service 